Pick up the phone!!

 In my short 33 years I have seen the way we communicate by phone change drastically. When I was little we had a rotary phone and only had to dial the last 4 digits for local calls. Remember those phones? We had 25 foot cords so you could walk away from earshot of any eavesdroppers. Then the phone that had push buttons and we had to dial ALL SEVEN NUMBERS!!! I thought I was gonna die I couldn't wait that long to talk! We had a see-through phone it was cool. Next the cordless phone, hallelujah this was the best invention ever. You could walk into another room without tripping on a cord! Don't get me started on the answering machines! Later came the car phones you know the ones in the bags? Now days everyone has a cell phone, some have just the ole run of the mill phones. But some have phone that are practically alive! Not only can you make calls but you can text, surf the Internet,  get directions, or listen to music. The younger generations have it made with such technology at their fingertips. Til next time, I am always a click away!
Amanda

Fun with the kids

 Its raining....everyone is bored. All books have been read, and all games have been beat. It is time to get creative and have fun doing it! My girls told me about this recipe for flarp....yes flarp. We sat and tried time after time using different amounts of the ingredients and after a few...well I wont say HOW many tries but we got it. What a fun little substance to play with, a cross between silly puddy and slime. So here is the recipe if anyone wants to get creative with their kiddos.  Til next time, I am always a click away!
Amanda

Flarp8 oz white craft glue
1 cup water
1 cup warm water
1-1/2 teaspoons borax powder
Tempera paint (mix colors if desired)

1. Pour the glue into a large bowl. Add water and stir until blended. Add a few drops of paint and stir until mixed well. Set this mixture aside.
2. In a small bowl, stir together the warm water and borax powder until the powder dissolves.
3. Slowly pour this mixture into the glue mixture, stirring continually for two minutes.
4. Knead the gloop with your hands until it's smooth and stretchy.
Store in an airtight container.

Depression and motherhood

 Depression has been a part of me most of my life. Many people would not believe I am bi-polar because I can handle myself in the real world with-out too many meltdowns. I am usually private about those to the point only a few have ever seen them. I have been on many different medicines and have had therapy sessions, and have tried to change my diet over and over. I have tried hard over the years to not give up searching for the one thing that will let me live a normal life. But what is normal?
One wonderful thing that has kept me going for the past 13 years is motherhood. I may not be mother of the year because if any of you know me I don't keep the house perfect and I forget many special dates I am unorganized, spacey, and I need reminders about everything. But with all of that said, my kids are truly happy and are brilliant and strong spirited little people. Yes I let them play their games all the time and watch too much T.V. and I let them all play on the computer too much. I am very overprotective most of the time about who they play with and where they play. But all and all I am a easy-going mom.
I worry about mixing depression and motherhood because it can effect my kids in the future. But at least I know right now I am doing the best I can with what I am dealt. My kids and I love my manic stages because the house is clean and I do and say crazy things that make them laugh. Though my depression stages they know to just let me sleep and I will be better when I wake. Many people deal with depression more and more these days and it is not something that they should  hide. I am tired of hiding behind the doors and not revealing who I truly am. I am a mother who suffers from deep depression and I want everyone to know I am doing the best I can. Til next time, I am always a click away!
Amanda

My little Con-man

 As a mother it is natural to want to protect my young from harms way. From colds to bullies, I will do everything in my power to protect my wonderful children. So with that said today I will be protecting my youngest by fighting to keep him back a year in school. I would not normally recommend this to most parents but in Con-mans case it is a must. Con was diagnosed with autism at the age of two, and has struggled with many of the "normal" milestones for a child socially and mentally. At his IEP last month his scores for kindergarten were low and has yet to spend anytime in the normal classroom settings. I am finding it hard to believe that sending to first grade will benefit him in any way. Con is small for his age, and his language skills are only at a three to four year old level. I didn't think he was ready for kindergarten when he started, (mother always knows best you know)so now I fight. Today will be a very trying day for me and I only hope to be the best advocate I can for my son. Til next time, I am always a click away!
Amanda

I am me

 First and formost I am me, a loving and caring woman with many abilities. I have been a wife for almost 14 years and a mother for 13. I have 4 beautiful children who make each day a gift for me. I grew up in a small town in Missouri, with 6 siblings. I have many different hobbies one of which I hold near and dear to my heart, singing. I love to sew, I read when I can, and I am a Rush freak. My family means everything to me and I wouldnt have it anyother way. I hope to entertain with this blog and open my world to you. Til next time, I am always a click away!
Amanda